Exploration of methods used for goal setting in palliative care within the East Asian population: An Integrative Review

Background: Goal setting in Palliative Care (PC) helps to tailor patients’ care through their active participation. Methods used in Western Countries may not apply directly to the East Asian (EA) population due to cultural differences.

Objective To explore the methods used for goal setting in PC within the EA populations, involving patients’ and families’ perspectives.

Method An integrative review was conducted. A literature search was performed in five databases (e.g., AMED and Medline), limited to studies published in English and between 2000–2020. Studies evaluating methods for goal setting in Adult EA populations (>18) under PC, or not under PC but with life-limiting diseases, and their families were included. Data extraction and analysis were conducted on qualitative and quantitative data for this integrative review.

Results 8 studies, involving 931 patients and 346 families, were eligible. The studies took place in Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. 6 intervention types were identified including education, treatment discussion, and documentation. Significant improvements were found in the patients’ Advance Care Planning (ACP) readiness, quality of life, and in both their and their families’ knowledge and decision making.

Conclusion This review provides information about goal setting methods in PC catering to physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the EA population, ranging from very low to moderate quality evidence. Further research on breakdown of types of single interventions and on non-seriously ill patients in PC are needed in East Asia